Reading challenge

Emmons students set million-minute goal

Emmons students set million-minute goal

October 03, 2006

Students at Emmons Elementary School in Mishawaka kicked off their reading challenge with a special dance performance, provided by girls in kindergarten through sixth grade. The girls, under the direction of parent Amy Haughey, performed a routine they'd learned to go with a song whose theme reflected that all students are in the reading challenge program together. "The kickoff is part of the celebration," said Principal Jeff Sherrill, who has promised to kiss a pig if children meet their reading goals. "Are you really gonna kiss a pig?" asked 6-year-old Samantha Blocher, a first-grade student at Emmons. "If you meet your goals," countered Sherrill. "I keep my promises." Sherrill, principal for the last six years at Emmons, said the PTA is sponsoring the program to encourage children to read a million minutes. "You think you can do it?" Sherrill asked as the children cheered in response. Reading and writing, he stressed, is thinking. "Our goal is to try and get kids to stop memorizing things," he said. Rather, he wants to see them move on to critical thinking and problem-solving skills enhanced by reading. Children received packets of information that included their monthly calendars, designed to help them chart their reading minutes and progress. Monthly prizes are available for drawings, as well as a final celebration -- and, of course, the glee of seeing Sherrill kiss a pig at the halfway point. Parents have been encouraged to support their children. "It's so that Nina knows I'm behind her," said Nancy Hernandez, of Mishawaka, whose second-grader participated in the dance routine. Staff writer Laureen Fagan: lfagan@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6344